Now, we've learned that in seven of those lawsuits, Narconon International and ABLE have been removed after quietly settling with the plaintiffs. The lawsuits remain active, meanwhile, because the local facilities have not settled.

Considering Scientology's reputation for scorched-earth legal tactics and delaying maneuvers, it may come as quite a shock to some observers that two Scientology organizations, staffed with elite "Sea Org" workers, are cutting checks to quietly get out of these lawsuits.